Sandusky board member up for state leadership role

SANDUSKY — A veteran Sandusky Schools board member could soon lead a state public education group. Tom Patterson was chosen to be the Ohio School Boards Association's president-elect nominee. If elected during the association's statewide conference in November, he will become president in 2025 following his term as president-elect in 2024. "I am incredibly honored and proud to have been selected as the OSBA president-elect nominee," Patterson said. "This is a positive opportunity for Sandusky City Schools as well. I believe that education is changing, and OSBA has to change with it. I still have to be elected, but I am looking forward to potentially serving in this role." Patterson, who's in his 18th year as a Sandusky Schools board member, was first elected in November 2001. He currently serves on the organization's board of trustees and board member cabinet and is a member of the association's northwest region executive committee. He served as region president in 2020. Sandusky Schools superintendent Daniel Rambler commended Patterson for his ongoing service to students around Ohio and in Sandusky. "I am thrilled that our board, district and Mr. Patterson, individually, is being honored with this nomination," Rambler said. "He will be a tremendous asset to the students across the state as he is a strong advocate for our Blue Streak students and a treasure in our community." Patterson's OSBA service has included being on the association's executive, nominating, governance review and legislative platform committees, urban network and Capital conference planning task force. In 2020, Patterson received the association's 15-year veteran board member award. A Sandusky native, Patterson attended Mills Elementary and is a 1967 graduate of Sandusky High School. He is a 1978 graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial education and industrial technology. He is married to Cynthia, another 1967 Sandusky graduate. They are the parents of four children, who are all Sandusky grads. They have seven grandchildren, with four of them enrolled at Sandusky Schools. Since 1978, Patterson has been employed at Industrial Nut Corporation, currently as the traffic and logistics manager. He is a sixth-generation member of Zion Lutheran Church. Patterson was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a community member in 2010. Founded in 1955, the Ohio School Boards Association guides Ohio school board members in better serving their school districts through various services and programs.